Catheter assembly having a side port valve

ABSTRACT

A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter. A body of the catheter adapter may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end. A catheter may extend distally from the distal end of the body. The catheter adapter may include a side port, which may extend outwardly from the body. The catheter assembly may include a valve disposed within the lumen. The valve may include a channel extending through the valve. The catheter assembly may include a cannula fixed within the side port and disposed within the channel. The cannula may include an opening, and the valve may be configured to compress to expose the opening from within the valve.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/860,537, filed Jun. 12, 2019, and entitled CATHETERASSEMBLY HAVING A SIDE PORT VALVE which is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Catheters are generally used for parenteral nutrition, intravenous fluidreplacement, and administering analgesics and antibiotics. Catheters arealso used for blood draw. Catheters can be inserted at the bedside usingsterile techniques and can remain in place for several weeks.

A common type catheter is an over-the-needle catheter. As its nameimplies, a catheter that is “over-the-needle” may be mounted over anintroducer needle having a sharp distal tip. The sharp distal tip may beused to pierce skin and a vein of a patient. Insertion of the catheterinto the vein may follow the piercing of the vein by the introducerneedle. The introducer needle typically has the sharp distal tip topierce skin and the vein of the patient with minimal resistance tominimize the pain to the patient.

The introducer needle is generally placed at a steep inclined angle withrespect to a surface of the skin and a longitudinal dimension of thevein to be pierced to allow penetration through the skin and a wall ofthe vein. The introducer needle and the catheter are generally insertedwith a bevel of the introducer needle facing away from the skin of thepatient. After the tip of the introducer needle pierces the wall, theangle of the insertion is lowered to be able to slide the introducerneedle and the catheter into the vein a distance sufficient to properlyposition the catheter in the vein. Once placement of the introducerneedle within the vein has been confirmed, the user may temporarilyocclude flow in the vein and withdraw the introducer needle, leaving thecatheter in place for future fluid infusion and/or blood withdrawal.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one example technology area where some implementationsdescribed herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a catheter assembly, as wellas related devices, systems, and methods. In some embodiments, thecatheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include abody and a side port extending outwardly from the body. In someembodiments, the body may include a distal end, a proximal end, and alumen extending through the distal end of the body and the proximal endof the body. In some embodiments, the side port may be disposed betweenthe distal end and the proximal end. In some embodiments, the side portmay include an outer opening.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a valve disposedwithin the side port. In some embodiments, the valve may include achannel extending through the valve. In some embodiments, the catheterassembly may include a cannula, which may be fixed within the side port.In some embodiments, the cannula may be disposed within the channel. Insome embodiments, the cannula may include one or more openings. In someembodiments, the valve may be configured to compress to expose theopenings from within the valve. In some embodiments, the catheterassembly may include a catheter extending distally from the distal endof the body. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may includeanother valve, which may be generally cylindrical and/or disposed withinthe lumen.

In some embodiments, the side port and the body may be monolithicallyformed as a single unit. In some embodiments, the valve may beconstructed of rubber or another suitable resilient material. In someembodiments, the valve may include a first end, a second end, and anaccordion portion between the first end and the second end. In someembodiments, a diameter of the first end and a diameter of the secondend may be greater than a diameter of the accordion portion. In someembodiments, the valve may include a rim and the side port may include agroove. In some embodiments, the rim may be disposed within the grooveto secure the valve within the side port.

In some embodiments, the cannula may include a blunt, closed end. Insome embodiments, the blunt, closed end of the cannula may seal an endof the channel, which may prevent bacteria from entering the catheterassembly. In further detail, in some embodiments, the blunt, closed endmay include a first circumference and the end of the channel may includea second circumference approximately equal to the first circumference,which may facilitate a seal at the end of the channel.

In some embodiments, the openings may include a first opening, a secondopening, and/or a third opening. In some embodiments, one or more of thefirst opening, the second opening, and the third opening may be spacedapart around a circumference of the cannula. In some embodiments, one ormore of the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening maybe proximate the blunt, closed end. In some embodiments, the cannula mayinclude an annular body. In some embodiments, the first opening, thesecond opening, and/or the third opening may be disposed between theblunt, closed end of the cannula and the annular body.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a base, which maybe fixed to the cannula. In some embodiments, the cannula may include anopening which may extend along a length of the cannula from the blunt,closed end to the base. In these and other embodiments, the blunt,closed end of the cannula may be semi-circular, and the end of thechannel may be generally semi-cylindrical, which may facilitate a sealat the end of the channel. In some embodiments, the channel may begenerally semi-cylindrical. In some embodiments, the base may include ahole, which may be aligned with the opening.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It should be understoodthat the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements andinstrumentality shown in the drawings. It should also be understood thatthe embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural changes, unless so claimed, may be madewithout departing from the scope of the various embodiments of thepresent invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, notto be taken in a limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1A is an upper perspective view of a catheter assembly, accordingto some embodiments;

FIG. 1B is a top view of the catheter assembly, illustrating an examplecap opened;

FIG. 2A is a partial cutaway view of the catheter assembly, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 2B is a top view of an example side port of the catheter assembly,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2C is a partial cutaway view of the catheter assembly, illustratingan example medical device inserted into the side port to compress anexample valve, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3A is an upper perspective view of the valve of the catheterassembly, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the valve, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 3C is an upper perspective view of an example cannula of thecatheter assembly, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the cannula along the line 3D-3D ofFIG. 3C, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3E is another cross-sectional view of the cannula, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly, illustratinganother example cannula and another example valve, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the side port of the catheter assembly,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly, illustratingthe medical device inserted into the side port to compress the othervalve, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5A is an upper perspective view of the other valve, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the other valve, according to someembodiments; and

FIG. 5C is an upper perspective view of the other cannula, according tosome embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-3E, a catheter assembly 10 may include acatheter adapter 12, which may include a body 14 and a side port 16extending outwardly from the body 14. In some embodiments, the side port16 and the body 14 may be monolithically formed as a single unit. Insome embodiments, the body 14 may include a distal end 18, a proximalend 20, and a lumen 22 extending through the distal end 18 of the body14 and the proximal end 20 of the body 14. In some embodiments, the sideport 16 may be disposed between the distal end 18 and the proximal end20. In some embodiments, the side port 16 may include an outer opening24.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 10 may include a valve 26disposed within the side port 16. In some embodiments, the valve 26 maybe constructed of rubber or another suitable resilient material. In someembodiments, the valve 26 may include a channel 27 extending through thevalve 26. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 10 may include acannula 28. In some embodiments, the cannula 28 may be disposed withinthe channel 27. In some embodiments, the cannula 28 may include a blunt,closed end 30.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 10 may include a catheter 32extending distally from the distal end 18 of the body 14. In someembodiments, the catheter 32 may include a peripheral intravenouscatheter (“PIVC”), a peripherally inserted central catheter (“PICC”), amidline catheter, or another suitable catheter. In some embodiments, aneedle assembly that includes an introducer needle 33 may extend throughthe catheter adapter 12, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1A. Insome embodiments, in response to the introducer needle 33 and catheter32 being inserted into vasculature of a patient, the needle assembly maybe removed from the catheter adapter 12, as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 1B. In some embodiments, a blood collection device may be coupledto the catheter adapter 12, and when the catheter 32 is inserted intothe vasculature of the patient, blood may flow from the vasculature,distally through the catheter 32, through the catheter adapter 12, andinto the blood collection device.

In some embodiments, the cannula 28 may include one or more openings 34.As illustrated in FIG. 2C, in some embodiments, the valve 26 may beconfigured to compress to expose the openings 34 from within the valve26. In some embodiments, a medical device 36 may be inserted into and/orcoupled to the side port 16, which may compress the valve 26 to exposethe openings 34 from within the valve 26 and allow fluid to flow fromthe medical device 36, through the openings 34, through an annular body38 of the cannula 28. In some embodiments, in response to the medicaldevice 36 being removed and/or uncoupled from the side port 16, thevalve 26 may resiliently return to a position in which the openings 34are within the valve 26.

In some embodiments, the openings 34 may include a first opening 34 a, asecond opening 34 b, and/or a third opening 34 c (which may be referredto collectively in the present disclosure as “openings”). In someembodiments, the openings 34 may include more than three openings oronly one opening. In some embodiments, one or more of the openings 34may be spaced apart around a circumference of the cannula 28, asillustrated in Figure. In these embodiments, the openings 34 may bealigned with each other.

In some embodiments, one or more of the openings 34 may be proximate theblunt, closed end 30. In some embodiments, one or more of the openings34 may be disposed between the blunt, closed end 30 of the cannula 28and the annular body 38. In some embodiments, the annular body 38 mayinclude a fluid pathway 39 or channel extending through the annular body38. In some embodiments, the openings 34 may be in fluid communicationwith the fluid pathway 39. In some embodiments, the openings 34 may bespaced apart from each other by beams or separators, which may extendbetween the blunt, closed end 30 and the annular body 38. In someembodiments, the beams or separators may be monolithically formed withthe blunt, closed end 30 and/or the annular body 38 as a single unit.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 10 may include another valve40, which may be generally cylindrical and/or disposed within the lumen.In some embodiments, the other valve 40 may be solid or may include achannel extending there through and aligned with a longitudinal axis ofthe body. In some embodiments, the side port 16 may be generallyperpendicular with respect to the body 14, which may facilitate fluidfrom the medical device 36 contacting the other valve 40 at about a 90°angle, which may facilitate operation and opening of the other valve 40.In some embodiments, the other valve 40 may open to allow fluidcommunication between the side port 16 and the lumen 22. In someembodiments, the other valve 40 may open when a portion of the othervalve 40 is depressed in response to contact by the fluid. In someembodiments, the other valve 40 may include any suitable valve, whichmay be generally perpendicular to the valve 26.

In some embodiments, the valve 26 may include a first end 41, a secondend 42, and an accordion portion 44 between the first end 41 and thesecond end 42. In some embodiments, a diameter of the first end 41 and adiameter of the second end 42 may be greater than a diameter of theaccordion portion 44. In some embodiments, an outer surface of theaccordion portion 44 may be curved.

In some embodiments, the cannula 28 may be fixed within the side port16. As an example, the cannula 28 may be fixed to the side port and/orthe catheter adapter 12. As another example, the valve 26 may be coupledto the side port 16, and the cannula 28 may fit snugly within the valve26. In some embodiments, an end of the cannula 28 opposite the blunt,closed end 30 may have a diameter greater than an end 56 of the channel27 prior to and/or after insertion of the medical device 36, which mayfacilitate the cannula 28 being secured within the valve 26. In someembodiments, the end of the cannula 28 opposite the blunt, closed end 30may contact and/or be secured to a stepped surface, which may facilitatesecurement of the cannula 28 within the side port 16.

In some embodiments, the valve 26 may be coupled to the catheter adapter12 in any number of suitable ways. In some embodiments, the valve 26 mayinclude a rim 52, and the side port 16 may include a groove 54. In someembodiments, the rim 52 may be disposed within the groove 54 to securethe valve 26 within the side port 16. In some embodiments, the rim 52and/or the groove 54 may be annular.

In some embodiments, the blunt, closed end 30 of the cannula 28 may sealthe end 56 of the channel 27, which may prevent bacteria from enteringthe catheter assembly 10. In further detail, in some embodiments, theblunt, closed end 30 may include a first circumference and the end 56 ofthe channel 27 may include a second circumference approximately equal tothe first circumference, which may facilitate a seal at the end 56 ofthe channel 27. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 10 may notinclude a cap 58 because the blunt, closed end 30 and the valve 26 mayseal the catheter adapter 12 from the external environment.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-5C, in some embodiments, the catheter assembly10 may include a valve 60 and a cannula 62. In some embodiments, thevalve 60 may include or correspond to the valve 26 described withrespect to FIGS. 1A-3E and/or the cannula 62 may include or correspondto the cannula 28 described with respect to FIGS. 1A-3E. In someembodiments, the valve 60 may include one or more features of the valve26 described with respect to FIGS. 1A-3E and/or the cannula 62 may oneor more features of the cannula 28 described with respect to FIGS.1A-3E.

In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 10 may include a base 64,which may be fixed to the cannula 28. In some embodiments, the cannula28 and the base 62 may be monolithically formed as a single unit. Insome embodiments, the cannula 28 may include an opening 66 which mayextend along a length of the cannula 28. In some embodiments, thecannula 28 may include an opening 66 which may extend along a length ofthe cannula 28 from the blunt, closed end 30 to the base 64. In theseand other embodiments, the blunt, closed end 30 of the cannula 28 may besemi-circular, and the end 56 of the channel 27 may be generallysemi-cylindrical, which may facilitate a seal at the end 56 of thechannel 27. In some embodiments, the channel 27 may be generallysemi-cylindrical. In some embodiments, the base 64 may include a hole68, which may be aligned with the opening 66.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It should be understoodthat the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements andinstrumentality shown in the drawings. It should also be understood thatthe embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural changes, unless so claimed, may be madewithout departing from the scope of the various embodiments of thepresent invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, notto be taken in a limiting sense.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the invention andthe concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and areto be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recitedexamples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present inventionshave been described in detail, it should be understood that the variouschanges, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A catheter assembly, comprising: a catheteradapter, comprising: a body, comprising a distal end, a proximal end,and a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end; and aside port extending outwardly from the body and disposed between thedistal end and the proximal end, wherein the side port comprises anouter opening; a valve disposed within the side port, wherein the valvecomprises a channel extending through the valve; a cannula fixed withinthe side port and disposed within the channel, wherein the cannulacomprises a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings arewithin the valve when the valve is in a first position, wherein thevalve is configured to compress to a second position in which the valveis below the plurality of openings and the plurality of openings areexposed from within the valve; and a catheter extending distally fromthe distal end of the body.
 2. The catheter assembly of claim 1, whereinthe side port and the body are monolithically formed as a single unit.3. The catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein the catheter assemblyfurther comprises another valve, wherein the other valve is generallycylindrical and disposed within the lumen.
 4. The catheter assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the valve is constructed of rubber.
 5. The catheterassembly of claim 4, wherein the valve comprises a first end, a secondend, and an accordion portion between the first end and the second end.6. The catheter assembly of claim 5, wherein a diameter of the first endand a diameter of the second end are greater than a diameter of theaccordion portion.
 7. The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein thevalve further comprises a rim, wherein the side port comprises a groove,wherein the rim is disposed within the groove to secure the valve withinthe side port.
 8. The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the cannulacomprises a blunt, closed end, wherein the blunt, closed end of thecannula seals an end of the channel.
 9. The catheter assembly of claim8, wherein the blunt, closed end has a first circumference, wherein theend of the channel has a second circumference approximately equal to thefirst circumference.
 10. The catheter assembly of claim 8, wherein theopening is a first opening, wherein the cannula comprises a secondopening and a third opening, wherein the first opening, the secondopening, and the third opening are spaced apart around a circumferenceof the cannula proximate the blunt, closed end.
 11. The catheterassembly of claim 8, wherein the catheter assembly further comprises abase fixed to the cannula and comprising a hole, wherein the openingextends along a length of the cannula from the blunt, closed end to thebase, wherein the opening is aligned with the hole.
 12. The catheterassembly of claim 8, wherein the channel is generally semi-cylindrical.13. The catheter assembly of claim 12, wherein the blunt, closed end ofthe cannula is generally semi-circular, wherein the end of the channelis generally semi-circular.
 14. A catheter assembly, comprising: acatheter adapter, comprising: a body, comprising a distal end, aproximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal end and theproximal end; and a side port extending outwardly from the body anddisposed between the distal end and the proximal end, wherein the sideport comprises an outer opening; a valve disposed within the side port,wherein the valve comprises a channel extending through the valve; acannula fixed within the side port and disposed within the channel,wherein the cannula comprises a first opening and a second opening,wherein the first opening and the second opening are within the valvewhen the valve is in a first position, wherein the valve is configuredto compress to a second position in which the valve is below the firstopening and the second opening and the plurality of openings are exposedfrom within the valve, wherein the cannula comprises a blunt, closedend, wherein the blunt, closed end of the cannula seals an end of thechannel; and a catheter extending distally from the distal end of thebody.
 15. The catheter assembly of claim 14, wherein the cannulacomprises an annular body, wherein the first opening and the secondopening are disposed between the blunt, closed end of the cannula andthe annular body.
 16. The catheter assembly of claim 14, wherein theside port and the body are monolithically formed as a single unit. 17.The catheter assembly of claim 14, wherein the valve comprises a firstend, a second end, and an accordion portion between the first end andthe second end.
 18. A catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter adapter,comprising: a body, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumenextending through the distal end and the proximal end; and a side portextending outwardly from the body and disposed between the distal endand the proximal end, wherein the side port comprises an outer opening;a valve disposed within the side port, wherein the valve comprises achannel extending through the valve, wherein the channel is generallysemi-cylindrical; a cannula fixed within the side port and disposedwithin the channel, wherein the cannula comprises an opening, whereinthe valve is configured to compress to expose the opening from withinthe valve, wherein the cannula comprises a blunt, closed end, whereinthe blunt, closed end of the cannula seals an end of the channel; and acatheter extending distally from the distal end of the body.
 19. Thecatheter assembly of claim 18, wherein the catheter assembly furthercomprises a base fixed to the cannula and comprising a hole, wherein theopening extends along a length of the cannula from the blunt, closed endto the base, wherein the opening is aligned with the hole.
 20. Thecatheter assembly of claim 18, wherein the side port and the body aremonolithically formed as a single unit.